Remote Start Stopping Prematurely

[ArizonaEnergi]

Now that the temperature is rising I've started using remote start again to pre-cool the car. Several times it shut off after opening a front door. This is not how I recall it working last year, but may have forgotten. I find nothing in the manual on this behavior.

 

So, should it keep running for the set minutes regardless of opening doors and entering the car, or is there something we're doing that is triggering the shut-down? I have not pressed the brake pedal or pushed the on/off button when this happens.

Edited April 1, 2015 by ArizonaEnergi

[Adrian_L]

I think you might be better asking this on the Energi forum.  Very few of the Hybrids have the remote start.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Adrian_L

[ArizonaEnergi]

You know, in doing a search I saw that and then ignored it! Good idea.

[ScubaDadMiami]

I have the remote start on my Hybrid version, though I haven't used it in a very long time. (I just use the fob to open the windows as I approach, and then I let the outside air blow through as I start my trip.) From what I recall, the vehicle does not shut down when you open the door to enter.

[Bugblndr]

Lots of the hybrids have the remote start, almost all of the SEL's on dealer lots around here have them and so does mine.

 

The car should keep running when the door is opened.  I'm not sure if there is an option setting that controls this or not, but by default it should not turn off.  My Toyota Highlander Hybrid would turn off when I opened the doors and I could never resolve it.  That was very annoying!

[Adrian_L]

Lots of the hybrids have the remote start, almost all of the SEL's on dealer lots around here have them and so does mine.

 

I don't think that is true.  Frankly if I could take it off my car and sell it I would.   What next?  A button on your TV remote to save you the trouble of opening the fridge?

Edited April 2, 2015 by Adrian_L

[Bugblndr]

I don't think that is true.  Frankly if I could take it off my car and sell it I would.   What next?  A button on your TV remote to save you the trouble of opening the fridge?

 

February was the coldest month in recorded history here averaging -12.6 degrees C.  Having to park outside, a remote starter makes a huge difference in my quality of life.  My last 5 cars have had them.  The only car in our household without one never gets driven in winter months.

 

If I could get a TV Remote to bring me a cold beer, I'd get one of those too!   :drool:

Edited April 2, 2015 by Bugblndr

[Adrian_L]

Ok.  That's damned cold (and I lived in Calgary for 8 years)  I usually rely on my seat heaters ("2" is roasting) but it rarely goes below freezing around the west coast.

 

I did have a portable electric heater under the passenger seat in my old VW Bus---plugged it in with a timer to go off an hour before departure.  Fantastic.    Too bad the Hybrid cabin can't be preheated like the Energi (i.e. without using gas).

[ArizonaEnergi]

Okay, I broke down and went out and did a test. Apparently having the Remote Start A/C setting on "Auto" can cause that to shutdown even though the remote start feature is still activated. Having it on "Last Setting" will have it start and continue to run like it was when shut down. We never use Auto so have not had its settings at what would keep the A/C running after starting for a few minutes - apparently.

I will never own another car without Remote Start. Love it when its 110F and the car has been baking in the sun for an hour at Costco.

Edited April 2, 2015 by ArizonaEnergi

[stevedebi]

Ok.  That's damned cold (and I lived in Calgary for 8 years)  I usually rely on my seat heaters ("2" is roasting) but it rarely goes below freezing around the west coast.

 

I did have a portable electric heater under the passenger seat in my old VW Bus---plugged it in with a timer to go off an hour before departure.  Fantastic.    Too bad the Hybrid cabin can't be preheated like the Energi (i.e. without using gas).

That reminds me of an old VW Type II I had. It could be preheated based on a clock setting. Of course, the heater burned gasoline to provide heat. I never used that option, because by the time I bought the car the gasoline part of the heater was broken. I used the heat exchangers off the air cooled engine.

[hybridbear]

Okay, I broke down and went out and did a test. Apparently having the Remote Start A/C setting on "Auto" can cause that to shutdown even though the remote start feature is still activated. Having it on "Last Setting" will have it start and continue to run like it was when shut down. We never use Auto so have not had its settings at what would keep the A/C running after starting for a few minutes - apparently.

 

I will never own another car without Remote Start. Love it when its 110F and the car has been baking in the sun for an hour at Costco.

We've experienced this periodically on our Focus Electric. In the winter we usually have it set to "Last Setting" and then we set the HVAC to 74+ and Auto before turning off the car. In the summer we usually leave the remote start setting to "Auto" since we rarely run the A/C while driving. Right now the temps are mild where we don't need heat or A/C so we likely won't be using remote start much in the next few weeks.